Band of the Week: Orochi

Their name is based on a legend, their image is based on kabuki. And their music? That's a whole 'n other story altogether. It's bits and bobs from several very different genres. Officially, they're described as being "theatrical samurai rock", but they're more than that.

Elements of pop and every genre of rock have found their way into their music, fitting most modern-day Visual Kei bands. However, their lyrics link back to the days of legends and myths, often featuring mythical creatures like Yamatano Orochi, the dragon whose name they adopted.

Legend has it Yamatono Orochi would terrorize the village it lived close to, taking a virgin from them. Until one day Samurai Susanoo heard about this and defeated the villain by feeding it sake until it passed out and chopped off its eight heads while it was sleeping.

The four members of the band now portray this Samurai, 2000 odd years later, fighting not with swords, but with music. They do use swords in their show, but no dragons are slayed any longer..

If you want to see them live, now's your chance. They are currently doing a European tour, organized by Ramen Events.